Plaster partition construction



Oct. 23, 1945. A. c. o| sEN PLASTER PARTITION CONSTRUC-ITIONv Y Filed June 29, 1944.

ATTORN EY Patented Oct. 23, 1945 oFFijcE ILAS'IJER PARTITICN` CONSTRUGTIQN `Anders C'..1sen, Forest Hills, N. Y.

Application June 29, 1944, Serial N0. 542,644

rc1. 'ia-46) 2 Claims.

Thisinvention relates to building construction andis more particularly concerned with improvements` inthe construction of an interior plastered partition ofthe type that dispenses with the need of vertical studs or channelsas supports for `the partition. l l

`Morespecifically",` the present invention is directed to a type of partitionstructure comprising a plastering base formed with a plurality'of relatlvelylrigid sheets or panels, each considerably longer `than its Width and of a length approximately equal to the height ofthe wall or partition to beconstructed, the panels being arranged adjacent one another and interconnected, atthe `joints between adjacent vertical edges thereof, by `fasteners. serving tofhold them in proper position to serve as a base `for plaster, without requiring studs or channel supports. l

*'l'heprincipal objectoi" the present invention is to provide a simple,eicient and reproof partition construction for theinterior of buildings, which possesses suiiicient rigidity `to withstand impact shock or other stressesto which such constructions'are ordinarily subjected. Another object or the invention is to provide an improved plastered partition structure for the interior of buildings `where fire-proofness, minif mumweight and a maximum amount of iioorng space are essential factors, said structure being o capable of transmitting less sound therethrough and thereby possessing a greater degree of sound insulation than heretofore obtained in plastered partitions or similar character.

A more specific object of theinvention is to provide a novel and improved plastering base for a! partition, which may be easilyand speedily erected and which is sufllciently rigid, withoutre quirlng auxiliary supports or bracing, to permit the application of plaster either simultaneously on `both sides thereof or in rapidsuccession, irst l on one side and then on the other side.

Briefly stated, the invention in its broader aspects `comprises `a` plastered partition structure formed on a pl-astering oase comprising panels of the aforementioned character which are disposed in `two juxtaposed layersor plies spaced slightly fromlone another, the joints between the panels of one layer or ply being oiset with respect to the joints between the panels of the otherlayer or ply; the adjacent panels of each layer or ply being interconnected at the joints therebetween by wire Vclips which are applied at spaced intervals along the joints and which have porti'onsthereof disposed between the opposite `facesoi"the two layers or plies to space these layers or plies from one another. Upon comole tion of the plastering base, as above indicated, plaster coatings may be applied to both sides thereof. ,A

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent from the detailed description which is to follow and fro the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a portion of` a partition embodying the present invention, parts being shown in broken section; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-'2 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing, the numeral Hl indicates, gen-l erally, an assemblage of two juxtaposed'layers or plies of panels spaced from one another, compricing the plastering base embodying the' invention. r'hese panels may coin-prise gypsum plasterboard or any other material suitable for `use as plastering lath. The panels Il and lla are of a length corresponding substantially to the height of the room whose walls are to be `formed by the partition, and of'a width convenient for handling, say 16 to 32'. The panels are placed so that the vertical edges IZ and I3 of adjacent panels in each of the two layers or Vplies are in close proximity to'each other. The adjacent panels in each layer or ply are interconnected along the joints .between their vertical edges by means of spaced clips or fastening devices which also serve to space the juxtaposed layers or plies from one another, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth. l

One type of fastening means suitable for interconnecting the adjacent panels H in one layer or ply and the adjacent panels I la inthe other layer or ply comprises a resilient fastener orc'lip designated generally by the numeral 45. This fastener` or clip is formed of 1l to 14 gauge yhard drawn wire bent to provide open loops or bights 4l along the central portion connected by legs 432", substantially parallel to each other, to a narrow return bend portion 4-3 somewhat narrowe-r` than the bilghts 4l. The opposite legs 44 are bent at a pointapproximately midway of the length of the legs 42' to form arms 45 which are dcected from the plane of the bights M and-1 the central return bend portion 43` and ternd-nate` in flat closed loops 6. These loop portions` 46 are of aA length approximating the distance between the bights 4'! and the return bend portion 35, and comprise oppositely disposed wings indicated at 41 and 48. The loop portions 45 thus lieV a plane parallel to the pla-ne of the big'hts `el and the central return bend portion 43.

In order to interconnect the adjacent panels in each layer by means of the fastening clips 40, several clips are applied at spaced intervals along the .vertical margins of one of the panels, and the adjacent panel is then forced into engagement with the clips so that the clips straddle the joint between the panels and interconnect them along the joint as the sole vertical support for the panels therealong. 'I'he distortion of the arms 45 from their normal substantially unflexed position tothe position where the loops 46 bear upon the face of the panels opposite to that against which the bights 4I and return bend 43 bear, serves rmly to grasp the adjacent panels.

The upper marginal edges of the panels in each of the two layers or plies are held in engagement with the leg I4 of runner I5, of conventional form, anchored in the usual manner to the ceiling,

The means for holding the upper edges of the panels II in engagement with the ceiling runner I5 preferably comprises fastening devices or clips like those employed for interconnecting the panels along the joints between vertical edges thereof. To this end, the clip nearest the upper end of the panels along each of the joints is positioned as bestindicated in Fig. 1 so as to serve not only for grasping and interconnecting the panels at these points, but also to hold the panels along their upper horizontal margins in engagement with the leg I4 of the ceiling runner I5. The resiliency of the clips, particularly in the region of the inner ends of the arms 45, permits a considerable range of distortion adequate to grip and interlock panels ranging from, say, to 1/2" in thickness.

The lower marginal edges of the panels in each of the two layers or plies are supported by and held in engagement with any suitably designed metal base system. One such system, indicated generally in the drawing by the reference numeral 20, comprises a substantially :dat runner 2| of indeterminate length, a plurality of alternately positioned spacer plates 25 and a pair of base rails 35, also of indeterminate length.

As shown in the drawing, the oor runner is bent or otherwise formed along each longitudinal edge with a bead or corrugation 24 for engagement with a complementary-formed lower edge of the spacer plates 25 and with the lower lip or flange 36 on .the base rails 35.

The spacer plates 25 may be formed of sheet Ymetal and each consists essentially of a at upstanding web or body portion 2S, ItheI vertical yedge 2'I thereof connecting the concavely recessed lower edge 28 with the inwardly and downwardly bevelled upper edge 29. The opposite side 30 of each spacer plate is slit horizontally for a slight plementary-formed bead or corrugation 24 in the oor runner.

In erecting the plastering base IIJ, the ceiling 'runner I5 and the floor runner 2| are positioned substantially in vertical alignment, and then are secured respectively to the ceiling and floor. vWhen thus aligned, ythe depending leg I4 of the ceiling runner will lie in a vertical plane which will be located intermediate the corrugated sides of the longitudinally extending floor runner 2|. The runner I5 is anchored to the ceiling by nails or spikes (not shown), driven through suitably, spaced perforations I6 in the flange I'I of the runner. Similar perforations 22 are provided at spaced intervals along the center of the oor runner 2 I, through which nails or spikes 23 are driven, thereby anchoring the runner to the floor or foundation.

The rst of the panels I| having the clips 4 applied along one vertical margin I2 or I3 and spaced therealong at regular intervals, of say 16" on center, is positioned between the ceiling and floor runners so that the upper marginal edge on one face of the panel rests or abuts against one side of the depending leg I4 of the ceiling runner. Another panel I I is positioned alongside the rst in forming one layer or ply of the plastering base and the adjacent panels are then interconnected bythe clips 40 and also secured to the ceiling runner, as previously described. A spacer plate 25 is then inserted through the joint between the adjacent, interconnected panels and engaged with the oor runner 2|, the laterally extending ears or flanges 3| of the spacer plate abutting against the lower margins on the inner faces of the adjacent panels, as shownin the drawing.

Another spacer plate 25 may then be engaged in upright position with the bead or corrugation 24 on the opposite side of the floor runner .2I and offset with respect to the previously erected spacer plate a distance which, for purposes'of illustration, may be equaltc one-half or onethird the widthof one of the panels. A pair of panels II a forming part of the other of `the two juxtaposed layers of panels is placed between the ceiling and iloor runners, adjacent the opposite faces of the second spacer plate, and interconnected along their adjacent vertical margins by the spaced clips 40 iirst applied along the margin of one of the panels. The upper margins of lthese panels are secured to the depending runner leg I4, extending between the two layers, by first sliding the uppermost clip toward the leg, then deilecting the upper loop of the clip and inserting it between the leg and ythe upper margins of the opposite layer of panels I I. The resiliency of the wire clip will cause the loop to bear against the side of the runner leg with which the loop is in contact.

Clips are aixed to the outer vertical margins of the previously erected and interconnected panels in each of th'e layers, spacer plates Vare each positioned alongside one of those margins and engaged with the floor runner, and, alternately, additional panels are added to each layer, whereupon the panels are each interconnected Vwith the adjacent panel of that layer and secured to the ceiling runner. The lowermost Yclip on each pair of adjacent panels is preferably located above the bottom edges of the panels a distance at least equal to the height of the spacer plates, so as to avoid interference therewith. `The spacer plates located on one side of the runner will face toward the plates on th'e opposite side of the runner and will be horizontally offset therefrom. Likewise, theV joints between'adjacent panels II, in one layer, will be staggered lor oilset with respect to the joints between adjacent panels I la in the other layer.

The two juxtaposed layers will be spaced from one another a distance equal to the thickness of th'e material from which the clips are -made.

However, by suitable modification of the clip, such as by forming the ends of the loops with extensions lying outwardly of the planes of the loops, the spaces between the two layers of panels `may be made greater than the thickness of the wire. In either event, there is thus provided an enclosed air space between the two layers of panels. I have found this feature of my novel partition construction to be eilective to a marked degree in reducing the transmission of sound therethrough, as compared to the intensity of sound transmission that usually is obtained through a solid type of plaster partition construction. The aforementioned spacing between the juxtaposed layers need not be limited to th'at afforded by the thickness or gauge of the wire clips, but may be ,further increased, as desired, by bending or deflecting the free ends of the loops 46 out of the plane of the loops.

While it is desirable to provide a minimum of contact between the two spaced layers of panels for enhanced sound insulation, it is also desirable, nevertheless, tc provide a positive connection between the layers in order to rigidify the structure and minimize vibration or movement of one layer relative to the other when the structure is subjected to impact or other shock. To this end, the panels Il of one of the layers may be perforated, as at 49, so that, when plaster is applied to the thus perforated panels, the plas- -ter will key through the perforations and bond with the inner faces of the opposite layer of panels. The keyed plaster, upon contacting the inner faces of the opposite layer of panels will tend to spread laterally, as indicated at 50, in the openspace between the layers, before becoming hardened and set.

The erection of the plastering base is completed by engaging the base rails 35 with the floor runner and the spacer plates at each side of the floor runner. The base rails have their opposite longitudinal edges bent inwardly to form the lips or anges 36 and 36a, the upper ange 36a being engaged in position over the complementaryformed bevels 29 on the upper and outer edge of the spacer plates. The lower flange of the base i rail is inserted under the bead or corrugation 24 in the oor runner and snapped into locking engagement therewith.

As the final step in the construction, of the present partition structure, layers of plaster 60 are applied to both sidesof the plastering base. Because of the added rigidity afforded by the provision of a two layer plastering base having the joints between adjacent panels in each' layer interconnected and reinforced by clips or fasteners, and the joints of one layer staggered or olset with respect to the joints of the other layer,

plaster may be applied, as by trowelling, rst to one side and then to the other, in rapid succession,`or to both` sides simultaneously, without requiring even temporary bracing of the plastering base, and without waiting for the first applied coating of plaster to set and harden before applying the coating of plaster to the opposite side of the base.

The sound insulation characteristic afforded by the enclosed air space in partitions erectedin ter coating. This may be accomplished either by providing panels, comprising one of the layers, of a diiferent thickness than the panels of the opposite layer and applying a plaster coating of the same or different thickness to both layers, or by employing panels of equal thickness in both layers and applying t0 one layer a plaster coating of different thickness than the plaster coating applied to the opposite layer.

The clips rigidify the partition structure both vertically and horizontally by reason of the gripping action along the margin of the panels in interconnecting them at the joints to one another and to the ceiling runner; at the same time, th'e clips serve automatically to space the two juxtaposed layers of panels from one another.

Moreover, since portions of the clips employed in accordance with the invention project beyond the outer panel surfaces, they thereby provide an enhanced key effect for the plaster coatings.

By my invention there is attained a plastered partition structure, which is simple to erect, possesses greaterstrength and rigidity than heretofore possible in structures of approximately equal thickness to say 2221/2" and, furthermore, there is provided a structure possessing an enhanced sound insulation characteristic.

While I have herein shown and described a form of clip for interconnecting the plastering base panels at th'e joints therebetween, and for spacing the two juxtaposed layers of panels from one another, it will be understood that other forms of clips capable of serving the functions served by the clip herein shownand described, may be employed in practicing the invention. The form of clip herein shownand described is not per se claimed herein but constitutes subject matter claimed in my Patent No. 2,307,899, issued January 12, 1943.

I claim:

l. A base for a plaster partition construction comprising two juxtaposed layers of panels arranged adjacent one another, each of the panels being of a length corresponding .to the height of the partition, the joints between the panels of one layer being oifset with respect to the joints between the panels of the other layer, the adjacent panels ef each' layer being interconnected at the joints therebetween by wire clips applied at spaced intervals along said joints, said clips having portions lying between the opposed faces of the two layers to space the said layers from one another.

2. A base for a plaster partition construction comprising two juxtaposed layers of panels arranged adjacent one another, each of the panels being of a length corresponding to the height of the partition, the joints between the panels of one layer being oiset with respect to the joints between the panels of the other layer, the adja- `iorate panels.

ANDERS C. OLSEN. 

